Richfield S.T.E.M. PTO Pushes Playground Fundraiser Toward Finish Line

The goal to provide all Richfield S.T.E.M. School students with a safe playground is no longer a pie in the sky dream.

The schools PTO has raised $240,000 to replace the existing equipment, which is just $10,000 short of its goal.

Before being re-branded Richfield S.T.E.M. School in 2010, the former Richfield Intermediate School housed third-, fourth- and fifth-graders, and at one time sixth-graders.

Now that the building is home to kindergarten through Grade 5 students, many parents became concerned about the safety of the playground equipment.

"We have some kids as young as four years old now," Lisa Randolph, a member of S.T.E.M.'s PTO told Richfield Patch in a previous interview. "We need to make the playground safer for those little kids."

With this in mind, the PTO took on the responsibility of raising all the funds to replace the playground. The parent group's first major fundraiser was the Richfield S.T.E.M. School Back to School 5K, which took place during Richfield's Penn Fest in September 2012. Less than six months later, the PTO's mission is nearly complete.

How to Help

To push the project across the finish line, the PTO has partnered with a variety of local businesses for various fundraisers.

The following are upcoming in-store or online fundraisers:

Where: Applebee's, 7901 Southtown Center in Bloomington.

When: 4-8 p.m. March 6, April 10 and May 15.

Why? 15 percent of your total bill will be donated to the playground efforts.

Things to know: Print off the attached flyer and bring it with you.

See the event on the Richfield Patch events calendar.

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Where: Davanni's Pizza and Hot Hoagies, 6345 Penn Ave. S. in Richfield.

When: 4-8 p.m. March 19.

Why? 20 percent of your total bill will be donated to the playground efforts.

Things to know: Print off the attached flyer and bring it with you. Not good on delievery orders. Customers may call ahead and pick up their orders.

See the event on the Richfield Patch events calendar.

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Where: Papa Johns Pizza, online only

When: Anytime

Why? Get 25 percent off your purchase and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the project.

Things to know: Use the offer code STEMSPARKS when placing the online order.

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In addition, the PTO will also kickoff a magazine drive March 6. Those interested can purchase or renew a magazine subscription through a S.T.E.M. student and the PTO will get a portion of the proceeds. If you do not know a S.T.E.M. student, contact the PTO at rstempto@gmail.com and it can get an order placed.

The PTO is also hosting a vendor fair called "Ladies Night Out" on May 3. The PTO is looking for vendors to sell their homemade or purchased goods such as Pampered Chef and Tupperware. We also invite all ladies to bring a friend and come have a fun night out.

Citizens can purchase personalized S.T.E.M. clothing and a portion of the proceeds will be passed to the project. Direct donations are also accepted and can be sent to:

S.T.E.M. PTO

7020 12th Ave. S.

Richfield, MN 55423